In My Kitchen… January 2016

New Year. New IMK Host. New Kitchen. Yes, finally I have my new kitchen. It was touch and go in the days leading up to Christmas but I’m not a Project Manager for nothing. Thanks to everyone who held their breath, stuck their tongue out and crossed their fingers that it would be ready in time. I’m sure the builders were glad to see the back of me. It’s not quite finished but enough work was done to allow us to host Christmas lunch so that’s a win in my book.

In my new January kitchen…

…it would appear I have a vinegar collection that rivals my salt collection. In moving items from my old to new pantry, I counted 11 bottles of vinegar. OK, one of them is a vin cotto from the Barossa but it’s sharp and tangy so I’m including it. To say that’s a lot vinegar is a bit of an understatement. My vinegar of choice is Cornwell’s Apple Cider Vinegar. I bought a bottle recently and note in what is no doubt a cost cutting exercise, they have moved from the traditional heavy glass bottles with ceramic lids to thinner plastic bottles and lids. I am holding on to my glass bottles. Cornwell’s, still Australian owned and made, is known for the Skipping Girl on the label. For many years the neon Little Audrey skipped over inner city Melbourne. She’s still skipping though it’s not the original. Read more about the history of the Skipping Girl sign. I do get through vinegar quite quickly but new bottles seem to replace empties just as rapidly. It’s not an addiction, it’s an affliction.

In my kitchen…

…is this attractive jar of olive and citrus mustard, a travel gift from friends Robert and Bronlynn. It comes from Dallmayr in Munich which is billed as Germany’s most famous and traditional delicatessen. Apparently it rivals the Harrods food hall and has been going since the 1800’s so they probably know a thing or two about mustard. I had never heard of this place so it seems I need to add it to my food pilgrimage list. I only received this jar a couple of days ago so have yet to open it but am sure it will be delicious on leftover Christmas ham.

In my kitchen…

…are two new ovens. One for baking, one for everything else. I was happy to compromise on many things in our renovation but two ovens was not one of them. Most people make a plain cake to test a new oven. I made a pavlova for Christmas Day and could not have been happier. To me, the ovens seem slow but I believe they are accurate. It’s just that I have been cooking with a fast oven for the last dozen or so years and have instinctively adapted recipes. I’m looking forward to trying favourite recipes in them. The pyrolytic cleaning function is an added bonus.

In my kitchen…

…is a bag of gifted mangoes. All the way from my friend’s uncle in Western Queensland. I think the ‘Bx’ stands for Bowen cross, meaning it is a cross between a Bowen mango and another breed. These are destined for smoothies, desserts and freezing. You know summer is here when people are giving mangoes away!

In my kitchen…

…is this delightful biscuit jar, a gift from my youngest brother Edward and his partner Anita. Not only did they provide the jar but also two bags of pfeffernusse to fill it. He knows the way to his sister’s heart. The jar will be an excellent addition to future festive tables.

In my kitchen was last month’s before shot…

…and this month’s money shot.

As I said, there is still quite a lot to finalise, not the least of which is a splash back behind the stove. The builders start again on 11th January so there will be more dust and no doubt more frustrations but we are on the home stretch.

Our new host for In My Kitchen is Maureen at The Orgasmic Chef. I met Maureen a few years ago now when she, Mr Tiffin and I were the only three people to turn up for a menu launch at Alfred & Constance. We had a lovely evening and have crossed paths many times since. Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial hasn’t gone anywhere. She’s still blogging but has handed over the IMK reigns to Maureen. Make sure your take a look at what’s happening in Maureen’s own kitchen as part of the monthly IMK catch up.

2 new ovens *squeeeeeee that is amazing! How wonderful you were gifted with mangos, almost unheard of in the Berra. And your kitchen is coming along beautifully, fingers crossed the dust and frustrations are minimal. 😀

Congratulations on your new kitchen! I love that you have two ovens. It’s such a fab idea. My mum kept her old electric wall oven when she had her new kitchen installed and now when she has family events on, she uses the new oven in the kitchen and the old oven in the garage 🙂

It makes sense for us at least (only the two of us) as it’s more cost effective to use a smaller oven on a day to day day basis rather than heating a large 90cm oven for one zucchini slice. It’s the way of the future.

I LOVE your new kitchen and the double ovens make me so jealous! (in a nice way). I’ve never had anyone give me mangoes – I get them the pay as you go method so I swoon at the thought of mangoes for free.

Thanks heaps for being part of In My Kitchen! You and Mr. Tiffin are always in my thoughts when I think of blogging adventures.

oh yes i still have pfeffernusse in my kitchen. love them. your vinegar collection is somewhat like mine but i think i have only 6 or so. such a shame that cornwells got rid of their lovely glass bottles. i only have the plastic ones now. glad to see your kitchen is up and running. 2 stoves?! sigh. i have one crazy gas one which you need to turn up 30 degrees higher than a recipe states as the door doesn’t shut properly and the heat escapes. have a great new year.

Fiona, your new kitchen is fabulous and I’m SO glad for you! (I’m sorta partial to red accents, don’tcha know?.) 🙂 Sorry to reiterate on what so many others have already said, but… double ovens… WOOHOO! Glad to hear they’re proving true to temp. Pavlovas can be a bit persnickety. Sounds like you have them handled and your upcoming “finishing touches” and vinegar stash, too.xo

P.S. Heartfelt thanks for the IMK calendar, too… my hubby LOVES IT as much as I do because it starts out with MONDAY as the first day of the week. For some reason “U.S” calendars have gravitated toward the “Sunday thru Saturday” time frame (much to our confusion, lol.) Thanks for straightening us (and our sense of time) out! xoxo

Beautiful, nice to see some renos do progress! Congratulations for getting to ready for Christmas stage. How did we ever survive with just white or brown vinegar? I too have different ones for different things and they are wonderful. Ahhhh, mangoes. Yep = Summer. 🙂

I’m a tad envious of your ovens. What brand did you choose? L’il Audrey was still skipping when I left Richmond. The City of Yarra is tightening up on planning which interferes with views to landmarks, so there is hope.

A very tardy response from me Sandra – The ovens are Electrolux – they rated very highly in a Choice test last year. We only intended to buy one pyrolytic but were able to negotiate to buy two pyros for the cost of 2 non pyros. The cooktop is a Bosch – which is what I previously had and was very happy with the perfromance (and this one too though the burners can be a bit fierce).

Happy 2016 You must be very proud of your gorgeous new kitchen Fiona, it’s fantastic! Foodies are jealous all over #IMK!! I just love your new ovens & stove top, which brand are they as I would love a self clean oven one day 🙂 I’m intrigued with the olive & citrus mustard too – please keep us updated with flavours & the goodies you ate with it xx

The ovens are Electrolux – they rated very highly in a Choice test last year. We only intended to buy one pyrolytic but were able to negotiate to buy two pyros for the cost of 2 non pyros. The cooktop is a Bosch – which is what I previously had and was very happy with the perfromance (and this one too though the burners can be a bit fierce). It had some small scratches on it so they knocked quite a bit off so all in all, a great deal.

I have a vast collection of vinegar too, AND my kombcha is now at vinegar too so I have more 🙂 LOL!
I am so jealous of your oven, what I wouldn’t give for two 🙂 and you must be so happy with your new kitchen it looks gorgeous… I hope they got back to work on th 11th and it is all finishes with all the dust clean by now!
Thanks for sharing!
Liz xx

They did get back on time Liz. There was much heartache in relation to the paving outside but that’s now done and looks superb. We are just waiting on one screen on an upstairs window but that is in the wind (fingers crossed).